A 17-year-old girl was rescued, and a Sacramento man arrested, in a human-trafficking case in San Bernardino, sheriff’s officials said on Tuesday.

Investigators arrested Daniel Thomas, 25, last week on suspicion of human trafficking a minor, authorities said in a sheriff’s statement. He has since been charged and pleaded not guilty in San Bernardino Superior Court, records show.

On the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 23, San Bernardino police officers discovered the 17-year-old they believed was acting as a prostitute in downtown near Fifth and G street, officials said. Officers learned the girl was listed as a missing person out of the Sacramento area. Authorities also learned, they said, that Thomas had brought the girl to the San Bernardino area and discovered Thomas had rented a motel room for the girl to conduct the illegal activity.

Authorities released the girl her the custody of Children and Family Services so she could be returned to her family, the statement said.

Investigators asked that anyone with information about the case call the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force at 909-387-8400. Anonymous tips may be provided to We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME or at www.wetip.com.

Beatriz E. Valenzuela is an award-winning journalist who’s covered breaking news in Southern California since 2006 and has been on the front lines of several national and international news events. She’s worked for media outlets serving Southern California readers covering education, local government, entertainment and all things nerd including comic book culture and video games. She’s an amateur obstacle course racer, constant fact-checker, mother of three and lover of all things adorable.